Chapter 13: The Abbey of Adolph!

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After lunch, Zorn changed into plain clothes and stepped out alone. On his head was a gray wide-brimmed felt hat that effectively shielded him from the sun. He wore a black hemp jacket, durable and sturdy, paired with lightweight, wear-resistant gray canvas shoes. It was said that the marine farming islands in the Aberna Sea produced abundant hemp of this kind. Garments made from it were tough and long-lasting, favored by the residents of Oglan City. If possible, Zorn wished to go to those tropical oceanic islands and enjoy the leisurely life of an island owner or plantation proprietor.

The only concern was the steam pirate ships that plundered these wealthy island plantations. While severing the heads of plantation owners, they also captured the workers and sold them as slaves.

“To the Bay District, 1464 Belain Street.”

With the clatter of horse hooves, Zorn gazed absentmindedly through the window at the bustling scenes outside. Before long, the streets grew livelier. The Bay District was much more vibrant than the New City.

“Beep beep~~”

Occasionally, Zorn caught sight of steam-powered cars rushing down the streets. Steam automobiles were the pinnacle of alchemical craftsmanship, steam science, mechanical design, and wondrous extraordinary materials. Their counterpart in the skies was the dominant "steam airship."

Compared to the vast southern empires of the Sanctum Continent, where steam science was more advanced, the Ostanton Republic was relatively weaker. Only by pouring more coal into boilers and having steam factories churn out more industrial goods could they keep up with the rising tide of steam technology. Only then could they withstand the assault of the "steam airships," which had shone brilliantly during the Battle of Konoden by the Saint Sman Empire. Only then could steam merchant ships break through the fog and seize advantageous positions in the Age of Great Navigation.

However, only the wealthier nobility could afford such luxuries. Nobles like Zorn, who hovered between the middle class and nobility, still could not afford such extravagances.

Paying 24 copper coins, he alighted from the carriage and waved to a nearby newsboy.

“Good afternoon, sir!”

The newsboy, about eight or nine years old, greeted Zorn politely. After paying two copper coins, Zorn received a copy of the Oglan Steam Daily.

Lowering the brim of his hat and clutching the newspaper, he walked toward the "Dillion House" inn not far away.

At the front desk, a pretty young receptionist of about seventeen or eighteen glanced up at Zorn, then quickly returned her focus to the book she was reading and the notes she was taking, appearing busy yet fulfilled.

“Truly a diligent and studious young lady,” Zorn thought to himself.

Oglan City, the industrial hub of the northern frontier of the Ostanton Republic, supported half the strength of the Republic. It possessed a mysterious power that propelled and compelled everyone to work, produce, and learn efficiently.

Following the information provided yesterday by the Soul Feeder Wilbur, Zorn found room 406. Using the key, he opened the door and began a thorough search.

Wilbur, the Soul Feeder, had committed numerous crimes, many of them major, amassing a considerable haul. Naturally, Zorn would not overlook these ill-gotten gains.

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He inspected the floor, walls, drawers, and hidden compartments, methodically checking each clue Wilbur had mentioned. After about half an hour of careful searching, Zorn tallied the loot: gold coins and paper currency totaling exactly 845 gold pounds. Undoubtedly, this was a substantial fortune—enough for Wilbur to live comfortably and securely for several years.

But as an extraordinary individual moving among the masses like a tiger among sheep, once greed broke free, it often dragged the evildoer into the abyss. Wilbur had provoked the wrong people.

Now, he no longer needed to worry about money. May hell be free of poverty!

Meanwhile, another thief was quite poor; his entire fortune was only thirty-two gold pounds on his person.

Having finished, Zorn left the scene in greater disarray than before. Even if the inn reported it to the authorities, the law would likely treat it as a simple theft and close the case.

As he departed, the young receptionist was still diligently studying. This reminded Zorn of his days as a Player in Oglan City, sponsoring poor female university students.

As a Player, he could afford to be reckless, simply restarting if necessary. But now that he was no longer a Player, he had to be more cautious.

He hailed another carriage.

“To Adolf Monastery.”

Once inside, Zorn lowered his voice.

But the carriage did not start.

“Honored guest, the Adolf Monastery lies in the Fog District, a long journey with little chance of return.”

“Besides... the Church recently warned of wanderers appearing there.”

The driver's hoarse voice carried a hint of fear, reluctant to take Zorn’s fare.

“I’ll cover the round-trip fare, about sixty copper coins, right?”

Zorn had roughly calculated the current carriage rates.

“But...” the driver hesitated.

“Two silver dragons, one paid upfront.”

Zorn decisively said.

The driver paused, then accepted a shining silver dragon coin from Zorn through the front window.

“Thank you for your generosity, sir!”

He sincerely praised.

Compared to the danger of the wanderers, poverty was evidently more terrifying.

One silver dragon equaled fifty copper coins; two silver dragons were a hundred copper coins. Most days, the driver barely earned that much.

...

Adolf Monastery was founded by the merciful nun Belinda Adolf, who hailed from the high mountains. It sheltered many homeless children, those abandoned by their parents, or stricken by disaster or disease. It bore the social responsibility of a children's orphanage.

Of course, this was only the public face.

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The true nature of the monastery was that it served as a secret stronghold for the "Highland Witches."

Originally, after the Kruger Plateau Empire was destroyed in a terrifying catastrophe, the Highland Witches roamed the snowy mountains and frozen plains. They acted as "shaman priests" in many ancient tribes and nomadic peoples. They were always shrouded in mystery.

Bards spread tales of the plateau witches’ mystique, strangeness, power, and their mastery of unfathomable arcane magics.

Now, a group of witches had descended from the mountains. Led by Belinda Adolf, they took root in the steam-powered city-states riding the wave of the steam revolution.

Using their power, they built monasteries and helped children and the elderly in need. They also lent aid to the Church and several powerful noble families within the Republic.

Thus, after the war between the Church and the secret sects, they were not exterminated as heretics by the Church.

They were allowed to operate within the Ostanton Republic, though limited to monastery duties and simple preaching.

At the same time, the witches made certain concessions—some compromises in faith.

...

At four o’clock in the afternoon, the bells of the Holy Sun Church tolled.

Inside Adolf Monastery, vespers began.

A large number of children identified as orphans gathered in the monastery’s chapel. They clasped their hands over their chests and bowed their heads in sincere prayer.

Facing due south in the chapel were the great "Holy Sun" and "Amara, the Sacred Mother."

Besides their original mother goddess, they also worshipped the Holy Sun, thus venerating two deities.

This was why the Highland Witches, with their own beliefs, were allowed to spread their faith within the monastery.

Such a thing had been absolutely forbidden before. But when survival was difficult, the Highland Witches had no choice but to compromise.

At the back of the crowd, Zorn completed about half an hour of vespers prayer.

As the prayers ended, the children happily received their afternoon snacks.

Zorn approached the donation box, first placing a sum of paper currency inside, then respectfully bowed to an elder nun nearby.

“Respected Mother, I wish to make a donation to Adolf Monastery.”

The elderly nun, dressed in black church robes, raised her eyebrows slightly. Her expression was sincere and kind.

“Bishop Theresa informed me that an important gentleman would visit during vespers today.”

“Honored sir, please follow me.”

Zorn slightly raised his brows.

Bishop Theresa was the "Spirit Witch Grandmother," a powerful and mysterious witch.

That such a formidable witch had anticipated his visit did not surprise Zorn.

The spiritual senses of the strong could detect many things.

What pleased Zorn was that the other party was prepared and willing to receive him. This meant the probability of today's plan succeeding was very high.